Pranav Nair
Former Manchester United starlet Angel Gomes reveals why he quit the club
According to The Mirror, former Manchester United academy starlet Angel Gomes has opened up on why he left the club in the summer of 2020.
Much was expected of the 21-year-old who became the club’s youngest debutant since Duncan Edwards aged just 16 and 263 days. The Red Devils were keen to keep him on but the player turned down a contract to leave the club in 2020.
The move to Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille has paid dividends and after spending the last season on loan at Boavista, the midfielder has gone on to make eight appearances for the Ligue 1 champions this term. He was part of the side that won the Trophee des Champions earlier this season.
All eight of Gomes’s appearances came this season, two of them in the Champions League. It saw him feature for his first England U21 duty yesterday. It could be the turnaround he needs to take the next step in his career.
According to the report, Gomes admits it was a difficult decision to call time on the Theatre of Dreams. He reveals that his decision had nothing to do with money.
“Everyone refers to me leaving for more money which makes no sense, why would anyone leave Man United, biggest club in the world with a lot of money, to go to the French league to play for Lille.”
Gomes went on to reveal that he made the decision knowing full well that Lille could offer him. The midfielder appears to be a regular in the French champions’ squad and it is difficult to see him achieve the same stature had he stayed on at Old Trafford.
“It was to do with the pathway and the opportunity Lille were bringing. At the time I had spoken to lots of people and it was a decision I chose to make.”
He admits it was not easy to deal with the pressure of being the young star at United. Given that he was unable to process it properly, leaving for a fresh start elsewhere is a wise choice.
“There were pressures and negativity that came from [being United’s youngest debutant in 70 years].”
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Gomes also went on to name former United star Nani as a massive influence in his career behind the scenes at Old Trafford. A youngster who promised much, Gomes appears to be on the way to stardom. Unfortunately, it does not appear to be in the colours we had hoped.
